15 Things To Make And Sell Online For Extra Money
By Sam Nguyen
In the digital age, monetizing your hobbies through online platforms is easier than ever. If you’re considering starting an ecommerce business, you’ve likely thought about creating products to sell online. Discover 15 sought-after items to make and sell online for extra income in 2023.
Making Things to Sell Online: Benefits & Challenges
Converting your hobbies into a source of income holds numerous advantages.
Benefits:
- Creative Outlet: Selling your own creations online provides a platform to showcase your creativity and unique talents to a global audience.
- Flexibility: You have control over the products you create, allowing you to adapt to market trends and customer demands.
- Passion and Fulfillment: Turning a hobby or passion into a business venture can bring a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction.
- Direct Interaction: Selling directly to customers allows you to build a personal connection, receive feedback, and tailor products to their preferences.
- Entrepreneurial Experience: Running your online business hones entrepreneurial skills like marketing, customer service, and financial management.
Challenges:
- Competition: The online market is crowded, so differentiating your products and marketing strategy is essential.
- Time and Effort: Balancing creative work with business operations demands time and effort, especially when handling production, marketing, and customer support.
- Scaling Challenges: As demand grows, maintaining product quality, consistent supply, and meeting higher orders can be challenging.
- Market Trends: Adapting to changing consumer preferences and market trends requires flexibility and innovation.
- Pricing and Profit Margins: Pricing products competitively while ensuring profitability can be complex, factoring in costs, competition, and perceived value.
Making Things to Sell Online: Considerations
Before embarking on your online selling journey, consider the following factors:
What are your skills and expertise in creating?
Assessing your skills and determining the most suitable path for your business can significantly increase your chances of success. Picking your skills and expertise in creating will also make it easier for you to find your target audience and make the right decisions.
What subjects do you have a solid knowledge of?
By leveraging your knowledge, you’re creating products that resonate with you and positioning yourself as an authority in your chosen niche. This enhances the value of your offerings and makes it easier to connect with like-minded customers who share your interests.
What can be readily shared or published?
To expand your reach and attract a broader audience for your online business, it would be wise to select products that can be quickly and easily shared or posted online. Selling items like e-books, online courses, software, podcasts, etc., is considerably simpler to deliver compared to large dining tables or cabinets.
What products or services are currently in high demand?
To run a successful ecommerce business, keeping up with market trends is crucial. You must offer products that meet current demand and avoid wasting time creating products that won’t sell.
Market research is key to understanding the demand for your planned products before diving in. This way, you can make informed decisions and avoid ending up with a room full of unsold items.
Top 15 Things To Sell Online
#1. Customized T-Shirts
Selling customized T-shirts online can be highly profitable, thanks to their universal appeal and ease of production. Not only can it be a creatively rewarding experience, but it can also bring financial success.
The key to achieving this is identifying a unique niche or design concept that resonates with your target audience. By utilizing user-friendly online platforms such as Shopify and print-on-demand services like Printful, you can simplify the production and fulfillment process and focus on design and marketing.
Custom T-shirts provide a perfect canvas for creativity, whether through witty slogans, personalized graphics, or niche-themed designs. To effectively sell these products, consider leveraging social media marketing, collaborating with influencers, and creating a user-friendly online store to enhance the customer experience and boost sales.
#2. Candles and Aromatherapy Products
Crafting candles for online selling is a relatively straightforward process that can be easily learned. Even without prior experience, there are many online guides to follow and basic melt-and-pour techniques that are simple to master.
Candle-making is a sizable industry with several niches to explore, including scented, holistic, celebratory, and seasonal candles.
Consider experimenting with unique scent combinations or creating eye-catching packaging to differentiate your candle brand from others. It’s important to provide customers with clear safety instructions when selling candles online to prevent burns or fire hazards.
#3. Handmade Jewelry
Many individuals create and sell handmade jewelry online, which offers many opportunities depending on your skill level and target market. From simple beaded necklaces to intricate silversmith collections, handmade jewelry is highly sought after.
Finding and promoting your niche is a must to stand out in a market saturated with handmade jewelry. Remember, what sets your handmade jewelry apart is you. Highlight your skills and craftsmanship, and ensure your jewelry reaches the appropriate audience.
For instance, beaded or woven bracelets may appeal to a younger audience, while high-quality silver and gold pieces may attract an older audience or those searching for a special gift.
#4. Natural Skincare and Beauty Products
As the demand for natural beauty products rises, creating skincare items from organic ingredients can attract health-conscious consumers. Crafting and selling natural cosmetics online is a popular and potentially profitable venture. You should emphasize the advantages of your products to connect with your target audience.
With options like organic, cruelty-free, vegan, and environmentally friendly products, tapping into this market could lead to significant growth for your ecommerce business.
#5. Pet Products
Our love for pets is universal, and creating pet products for online sale can tap into a vast market. The opportunities are boundless, from crafting wholesome treats and snacks to crafting handmade toys, leashes, jackets, and cozy beds.
If your expertise lies in pottery, why not fashion an exclusive line of personalized dog bowls? Alternatively, if you possess haberdashery skills, curating pet outfits and accessories might strike a chord (as many pet owners adore decking out their companions for those Instagram-worthy moments).
If you’re considering concocting edible items for animals, conducting thorough research is vital to ensure the safety of the ingredients you employ. Listing all ingredients on your website is imperative to offer transparency to your customers.
#6. Pottery
The world of handmade pottery is enchanting, with various items spanning from stunning mugs to ornate masterpieces. What is so alluring about these pieces is their timeless appeal and uniqueness, which makes them highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts alike.
Embrace the one-of-a-kind nature of each creation will attract those who appreciate the artistry and skill that goes into handmade pottery.
One tip to growing your pottery shop is to tell your story. Share your journey and passion for pottery through engaging storytelling. Customers love to connect with the artist behind the creations.
#7. Digital Prints, Photos, and Art
You don’t need to be a professional artist to take digital prints, photos, art, etc., and sell them online. You can craft downloadable prints, intricate illustrations, and captivating photographs. Potential customers can readily purchase and subsequently print at their convenience.
You need to remember that your business’s foundation is your art’s quality. Invest your time to create unique, visually appealing, and high-resolution digital artworks that resonate with your target audience.
#8. Online Courses
In the current digital era, the demand for online courses has skyrocketed. Whatever you can teach, be it business marketing or drawing, there is a high likelihood that someone is willing to learn it.
The beauty of creating an online course to sell is that once you have developed the content, your work is done. This is unlike crafting handmade items, where you must continually create new ones to fulfill customer orders. With an online course, such as an online marketing course, you only need to create it once.
When you sell an online course, ensure that it offers unique content that users cannot readily find for free on the internet. This could be in the form of downloadable templates or exclusive access to particular platforms and services.
#9. Personalized Gifts
Personalized gifts can bring a special touch to important events and occasions. This is why creating a personalized brand can be a fantastic idea for an online business.
The possibilities are endless – from on-demand toys to custom-designed perfumes in the customer’s favorite scent. Whatever your niche, starting a business with personalized products can be a great first step.
As a startup, it’s important to remember that you should maintain your focus and stay committed to your niche. This is the key to success as you develop your business.
#10. Homemade Baked Goods
If you have a passion for cooking and experimenting with different flavor combinations, you can turn your culinary skills into a profitable venture by selling homemade baked goods and unique desserts.
However, it is important to ensure that your kitchen meets all local health and safety regulations if you decide to make sauces at home.
Additionally, it is crucial to remember your products’ use-by date and avoid making large batches before understanding customer demand. You don’t want to have a surplus of outdated baked goods. With simple ideas such as cookies and cupcakes, starting an e-commerce business can be a great way to earn extra income.
#11. Children’s Toys and Accessories
Creating safe and imaginative toys for children takes place in this top-of-its list. The demand for toys or accessories for kids is never out of date.
If you’re looking to start an online business, there are a few key things to remember. First, you’ll need to find a reliable source for your products, whether importing them overseas or creating your designs.
Once you have your products in hand, it’s important to ensure they meet all necessary safety standards. This is especially important if you’re selling items aimed at children.
Finally, be sure to create eye-catching designs that appeal to kids and parents alike. Use bright, bold colors and interesting patterns to help your products stand out. With a little hard work and creativity, you can build a successful online business that will bring joy to customers worldwide.
#12. Vintage or Upcycled Items
One potential avenue for launching an online business is by taking vintage or discarded items and reimagining them as upcycled treasures.
By repurposing these items, you can create unique and sustainable products with a story and character. Not only does upcycling help reduce waste but also provides an opportunity to tap into a growing market of eco-conscious consumers who value creativity, quality, and environmental responsibility.
With some creativity, resourcefulness, and elbow grease, you could transform your passion for upcycling into a successful and rewarding online business. These unique pieces appeal to environmentally conscious consumers seeking one-of-a-kind products.
#13. Music
Nowadays, there are more opportunities to establish oneself as a successful business without relying on physical products. By creating and selling your music online, you can showcase your talents to a wider audience and earn extra money.
To maximize your reach and increase your chances of success, it’s important to take advantage of popular online platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, etc. These platforms offer an excellent opportunity to connect with potential fans and build a following.
The key to success in the online music industry is to be creative, persistent, and always willing to explore new opportunities. With the right approach and a bit of luck, anyone can make a name for themselves in this exciting and rapidly evolving field.
#14. Knitted or Crocheted Items
Crafting handmade items through knitting or crocheting is a wonderful idea to sell online. Whether you’re just starting or have years of experience, there’s never been a better time to share your craft with the world by starting an online business.
By utilizing high-quality yarn and paying close attention to even the smallest details, you can produce an exceptional product with beauty and durability. From cozy scarves to warm blankets, the possibilities are endless when it comes to creating handmade items that are both practical and aesthetically pleasing.
#15. Custom Phone Cases
Nowadays, phones become a part of human life. Customized phone cases are in high demand. People tend to express their personality through custom-designed phone cases. Beautiful phone cases with unique color schemes will definitely help you get a stable income.
Design custom phone cases with unique patterns, graphics, or personalized elements. The popularity of smartphones ensures a constant demand for stylish accessories.
The important thing is that besides making cases for popular phones like iPhone or Samsung, you can also target budget phones to expand your audience.
Bottom Line
Converting your hobbies into a profitable online business is an achievable endeavor. You can establish a successful online store by carefully selecting products that align with your skills and passions, leveraging effective marketing strategies, and maintaining product quality. Remember that dedication, continuous learning, and adaptability are key to thriving in the dynamic world of online selling.
FAQs
One of the first steps is to thoroughly research current trends in your industry and any emerging markets or niche audiences that may be particularly interested in your products.
Additionally, it can be helpful to identify your target audience and tailor your product offerings to their specific needs and preferences.
Finally, it’s important to consider your own expertise and passions when selecting products to sell, as this can help you build a strong brand and establish yourself as a trusted authority in your field.
Among the most popular options are Shopify, Etsy, and Amazon Handmade, all of which can help you get your business up and running quickly and easily. With these platforms, you can easily upload product photos, write detailed descriptions, and manage your inventory, making it simple to showcase your products and reach a wider audience.
Shopify stands out with its user-friendly interface and inventory management feature, which can help you establish a successful online presence.
Specializing in a niche can establish your expertise, help with targeted marketing, and create a strong brand identity, but it might limit your audience and be affected by niche market fluctuations.
Offering a variety of items can diversify your income, attract different customers, and adapt to market trends, yet it could challenge brand identity and quality control. Your choice should align with your strengths and resources, whether you prioritize in-depth specialization or broader market appeal.
By creating a sense of scarcity, customers are more likely to feel compelled to make a purchase before the item is no longer available. This can not only increase sales but also create a loyal customer base who are always on the lookout for the next exclusive item.
Seasonal items can help to create a sense of excitement and anticipation among shoppers as they eagerly await the release of new products.
Incorporating limited edition and seasonal items into your product offerings can be a powerful way to engage customers and drive sales.
